Jesse Rufus Fears

Jesse Ru≠fus Fears, 67, of Norman, Okla., died Saturday, Oc≠tober 6, 2012, in Okla≠homa City. He was born on March 7, 1945, in At≠lanta, Georgia, to Emory Binford Fears and Hazel Davis Fears.

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The Daily Ardmoreite

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Posted Oct. 10, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Updated Oct 10, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Posted Oct. 10, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Updated Oct 10, 2012 at 11:53 AM

Norman

Jesse Ru­fus Fears, 67, of Norman, Okla., died Saturday, Oc­tober 6, 2012, in Okla­homa City. He was born on March 7, 1945, in At­lanta, Georgia, to Emory Binford Fears and Hazel Davis Fears.

Rufus was a historian of ancient Greece and Rome. He earned his B.A., summa cum laude, in his­tory and classics at Emory University in 1966, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in clas­sics at Harvard Univer­sity, where he wrote a dis­sertation on the religious aspects of Roman impe­rial ideology. Published as a book in 1977, his study questioned then-current accounts of Roman his­tory, which focused on material interests and networks of power, by demonstrating the fun­damental importance of ideas as a source of politi­cal legitimacy. The book marked the beginning of a brilliant career in aca­demic research, which would bring him some of the highest honors which academia offers, such as a Rome Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Humboldt Fellowship and an ACLS Fellowship. His contributions as a scholar lie principally in two areas: first, he revived interest in ideology as a motive force in Roman politics; and second, he explored various con­ceptions of liberty from a historical perspective. He published numer­ous books and dozens of articles, including three monographs on Roman ideology in the prestigious Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. He also edited the writings of Lord Acton, a major figure in 19th Century British liberal thought. A gifted communicator in every medium, Rufus was an elegant writer (in this regard, as in others, he was also an admirer of Winston Churchill). Rufus' many interests converged in perhaps his finest scholarly essay, "Ro­man Liberty: An Essay in Protean Political Meta­phor," which brought to life the meaning of free­dom at different moments in Roman history. Rufus earned tenure in the De­partment of History at In­diana University in 1975 and became a full pro­fessor in 1980. He then joined the faculty in the Department of Classical Studies at Boston Uni­versity, where he served as chair. In 1990, he came to the University of Okla­homa, where he spent the rest of his career. From 1990-92, he was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1992, he be­came the G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty, and Director of the Center for the History of Liberty, in which role he would serve for the rest of his life. In 2004, he was honored with the additional title of David Ross Boyd Pro­fessor of Classics.

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Though an eminent and decorated scholar, Rufus thought of teaching as his vocation, and he will be lovingly remembered by the thousands of students he impacted in his career. He brought unique cha­risma, profound erudition and tireless dedication to teaching. He was famous for his eloquent and col­orful performances in the classroom, acting out fa­mous battle scenes and surprising students with his iconic battle stick. His dramatic gifts were coupled with a deep sense of the human element in past times, and it was his ability to translate the facts of history into meaningful life lessons – about leadership, about freedom, about the great ideas – which made such a lasting impression on so many students. At the University of Oklahoma, his classes attained the status of a rite of passage. His legendary two-course sequence "Freedom in Greece" and "Freedom in Rome" filled over 300 seats every semester, with students sitting in aisles and crowding outside his office door seeking per ­mission to enroll. His tal­ent and dedication earned him an extraordinary list of teaching awards (which he pointedly listed at the top of his résumé). He was Professor of the Year three times at the University of Oklahoma, in addition to numerous other acco­lades and honors. Over the years, he remained a close, lifelong mentor to many of his former stu­dents, and he found in these relationships one of the most enriching and rewarding aspects of his life as a teacher. His mission as a teacher extended beyond his un­dergraduate students. He had a special com­mitment to OU's lifelong learning program and led countless book clubs for seniors. Rufus was an avid traveller, and his study trips were a profound, immersive experience for all those who journeyed with him. In 2007, he was honored to be named the David R. and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, a role which allowed him to share his understanding of freedom on a broader scale. Over the last de­cade, Rufus produced a series of books on tape, mastering this medium and reaching a national and international audi­ence as a teacher. He gave himself to his calling as a teacher, and he was truly one of the great teachers of his age.

Above all Rufus was de­voted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Char­lene; and his two wonder­ful children, Betsy, 21, and Jesse, 20, who were his pride and joy and his con­stant companions. Nor­man became a true home for the Fears family, who remain so grateful for all the love, friendship and support which they have received over the years from the community, the University and the state. Rufus is survived by his sister, Laura Fears Cal­laham and her husband, Robert, of Morganton, N.C., and their three sons: William Robert Callaham of Winchester, Va. (and his wife, Monica and their children, Robert and Sarah); Thomas Emory Callaham of Huntersville, N.C., and John Edward Callaham of Greer, S.C. (and his wife, Jennifer). He also leaves behind his brother, Emory B. Fears (and his wife, Jacque­line), of Atlanta, Ga., and their daughter, Ashley E. Fears, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Thomas Ganka (and his wife, Joanne), of Atlanta, Ga., and their three sons, Charles (and his wife, Ta­mara), Geordan and T.J., all of Atlanta, Ga.